Cast: Nick Kelly, Kevin Anderson, Pauline Bourdon, James Dove, Tom Dunne, Paul Grimshaw, Olivia Leary, Dermot Lynch, Seán Millar, Claire O’Neill, Jon Wood
Genre: Documentary
Director: Nick Kelly
In Irish Cinemas: 1st May 2026
A distinctly Irish, spirit-lifting documentary is set to roll into cinemas as The Song Cycle begins its theatrical journey. Directed by musician and filmmaker Nick Kelly, the film premieres at the Irish Film Institute on Friday, 1 May, before expanding to screens across the country.
Blending music, travel, and personal endurance, the film chronicles an unusual and demanding expedition: a cross-country cycle from Ireland to the legendary Glastonbury Festival. Armed with little more than a bicycle, a guitar, and essential supplies, Kelly undertakes a physically punishing route that doubles as a touring circuit, stopping nightly to perform in venues along the way.
Running parallel to this journey is the presence of longtime collaborator Seán Millar, who follows by public transport, reuniting each evening to share the stage. The dynamic between the pair injects humour and tension into the story, with Millar often cast as a grounded counterpoint to Kelly’s ambitious, near-mythic quest, echoing the timeless interplay of dreamer and realist.
At its core, the documentary presents more than a travel diary or musical road story. It unfolds as a meditation on endurance, ageing, friendship, and legacy. The journey culminates in a poignant milestone: a performance at Glastonbury, coinciding with Kelly’s 60th birthday, surpassing the age his father, former politician John Kelly, reached. This personal landmark lends emotional depth, tying the physical journey to a deeper reflection on time and mortality.
While environmental awareness provides an initial spark for the undertaking, the narrative broadens into a broader exploration of sustainability, not only ecological but also creative, emotional, and human. The film ultimately delivers a quietly powerful message about perseverance: continuing forward despite obstacles, uncertainties, and the inevitable uphill stretches encountered along the way.
Overall: 6.5/10
Movie Reviewer
